Eddie Howe has made no secret of the fact he wants a new defender, and Newcastle United may have just identified their prime target.
With injuries hitting the Newcastle squad hard this season, plus the fact the likes of Fabian Schar and Kieran Trippier may be nearing the end of their time on Tyneside, it’s not surprising the Magpies are in the market for reinforcements at the back.
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We have seen a number of defenders linked already over the last month or two, ranging from experienced heads like Nathan Ake to younger talents like Dayann Methalie.
Now, the latter could be overlooked by Newcastle as they also reportedly have an interest in one of his Toulouse teammates.
- READ MORE: Newcastle United latest transfer news and rumours – Davide Frattesi blow as Chelsea eye Eddie Howe
Charlie Cresswell is on Newcastle’s list
According to a report from French outlet Sport, Newcastle are one of the clubs keeping an eye on England youth star Charlie Cresswell.
The centre-half left Leeds United to join French outfit Toulouse back in 2024 and has excelled during his time in Ligue 1. Now, the 23-year-old could be poised for a big return to England.
Cresswell is wanted by Liverpool, Newcastle, and Man City, with a valuation of €25m (£21.69m) placed on his head.
The report claims Cresswell’s ‘strength in duels, and his aerial prowess’ make him a coveted man among the top clubs in the Premier League. Apparently, Man City have already contacted Toulouse to sound out a move.
Wherever he ends up going, it looks like Toulouse will make a healthy profit on Cresswell. They signed the young defender from Leeds United for just under £4m.
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What Charlie Cresswell previously said about leaving Toulouse
Interestingly, this is not the first time Cresswell has been linked with a move to the North East. Sunderland came knocking, along with West Ham, in the summer, but the player turned them all down to stay put.
On that situation, Cresswell told La Depeche: “That’s the life of a footballer during the transfer window… I’ve heard about this interest, which came from several places in Europe.
“I tried not to pay too much attention to it, and to stay focused on what I’m doing here in Toulouse: training hard, giving my all. In the end, I’m still here, and that’s a good thing.
“I don’t want to go into detail about what happened during the transfer window – but I can tell you that I didn’t need any convincing to stay. I had a great season, I met some great people, both at the club and outside.”
Hopefully, Cresswell finds it a little bit more difficult to turn down Newcastle United in the coming weeks.
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